123 Aftermath (1/2)
Inside the Great Hall, Elizabeth sat on her seat. The people present were Leon, the general marquis, the Duke and his wife.
Leon was the only person that wasn't directing a questioning gaze at his mother. Seeing his mother's silence, he decided to speak.
”Mother, the secret is already out in the open. It's time we them an answer.” Leon said.
”And what kind of answer do you want mother to give them?” Elizabeth said slowly. Find authorized novels in Webnovel，faster updates, better experience，Please clickfor visiting.
”The truth and a direction. We should teach them how to cultivate so they can fend for themselves.”
Leon recalled the strength of the demonic cultivator and continued, ”The kingdom had long grown complacent and its growth had become stagnant all these years. The Crawford Kingdom is not the same as it was in its heyday. Our kingdom has become weak.”
A frown appeared on Elizabeth's face as she contemplated her son's words. His words suggest breaking the rules the Crawford ancestors had set. Rules are dead, but the people are alive.
”Hold on a second. What you are saying is the Royal family knew about those things below all this time?” The Duke interjected, before asking, ”And what did you mean the kingdom has become weak?”
Obviously, Leon's words did not sit well with him. He had just entered the star rank in cultivation and considered himself one of the powerhouses of the Crawford Kingdom. To say the kingdom was weak was equivalent to saying he was weak.
Leon looked at the general marquis calmly and asked, ”When was the last time you visited the other kingdoms, or anyone for that matter?”
”...”
The group was silenced when this question was raised. None of them had ever visited the neighboring kingdoms.
What is there to see in the other kingdom when the resource of the Human Domain was concentrated in their kingdom? Or at least that should have been the case…
”The Four Great Family were just pawns. When I was eradicating the rebels, I fought and drove away their mastermind, sir Zagan.” Leon said before continuing,
”If I recall correctly, the Valaran Kingdom had a count-level noble by the name of Zagan. Just a count-level noble, but his strength was at the five stars of the Awakener Realm. If count-level nobles are already this strong, what does that say for the higher-ranking nobles?”
”Now you are just talking nonsense, kid. I don't believe you have the strength to drive away a five-star Awakener Realm expert.” Hendrick refuted rudely. His words carried the spirit of a battle-hardened soldier.
Not long after he said these words though, did he suddenly finds himself drenched in cold sweat under the Queen's cold gaze.
”Apologies, your highness. I have misspoken. However, I still stand by my opinion.” Hendrick apologizes courtly, but he was firm in his stance. He was unconvinced of Leon's feat. How old was he?
”Naturally, I have yet to reach the five-star Awakener Realm. I relied on tricks and a sneak attack to deal a fatal blow. It's a pity that he did not die even after having his heart destroyed.” Leon explained with some regrets.
”That's obviously impossible. No one can survive having their hearts destroyed.” Hendrick said confidently. Leon's words only served to strengthen his opinion further.
His good impression of the prince was dropping. He was an honorable soldier and means of tricks and sneak attacks were dishonorable by his standards, not to mention he felt like the prince was bragging.
”Normally, yes, but it is different for demonic cultivators that cultivate the blood arts. Blood arts allow the demonic cultivator to have extraordinarily vitality due to the blood vitality they absorb from other humans.” Leon said, seemingly uncaring of the general marquis's impression of him.
”If that's true, it's good that Count Zagan survived. It would have been an international dispute if he died. While we don't know how powerful the other kingdoms have grown, it's not wise to erupt in open hostility with them until we fully understand their strengths.” Elizabeth said calmly after being surprised. Unlike the general marquis, she believes in the words of her son, albeit with doubt.
The other three showed mild puzzlement. Evidently, the term 'demonic cultivator' and 'blood arts' were unfamiliar to them.
Leon knew that his mother had always been doubtful of the origin of his abilities and knowledge, but she had never once, asked him. If he wanted to reform the kingdom and spread the knowledge of cultivation to strengthen the people, he would have to at least answer his mother's doubts.
”I wish to speak with my mother alone.” Leon said courtly.
Elizabeth saw through her son's intention and nodded.
”Leave us.” She waved her hand.